Our 2026 programme of Events & Exhibitions is here…
This page lists upcoming and previous public events held at Cuckoo Farm Studios including Exhibitions, Events and Workshops by members of the CFS community and external hirers.
We encourage you to check periodically for future details or join our mailing list to receive updates and invitations.
If you are interested in hiring our Benham Gallery/flexible space visit our Venue Hire page and fill out the contact form.
CFS Show dates & times are usually 11am - 4pm Saturdays and Sundays and by appointment. Other event times are as shown. For queries please contact events@cukoofarmstudios.org.uk
Our new exhibition programme for 2026 is now out and we are excited to share with you what we have planned:
'Conversations' is our main theme for 2026 - many conversations have been held and are still ongoing between the Artists at Cuckoo Farm Studios and will result in smaller group shows under different titles over the coming months.
But starting us off is an 'open conversation' showcasing work by all the Artists at Cuckoo Farm Studios. The wide range and diversity of our Artists will make for an interesting and vibrant exhibition - don’t miss the opening on 14 March!
There will also be a few solo exhibitions and other events such as our Open Studios in September as well as a pop up event in the run up for Christmas.
With so much going on we are confident you will find something you like.
Have a look at the details below and make a note in your diary of the dates that interest you. We will send out brief reminders before each event during the coming year, join our mailing list using the form on our About page.
Inside/Outside
Inside/Outside, the latest from our ‘Conversations Series’ exhibition opens on Saturday, 27 June 2026 and runs until Sunday, 12 July 2026.
Constable Ambisonic
*ORIGINAL EVENT POSTPONED UNTIL SEPTEMBER 5TH 2026
This event at Cuckoo Farm Studios, gives the audience a chance to listen back to the recordings in ambisonic Spatial Audio, and features performances by Matthew Shenton (there are no birds here) and Stuart Bowditch.
And One Artist said to the Other
We are pleased to invite you to the first exhibition in our 'Conversations' series:
Conversation 1:
And One Artist said to the Other
6 - 21 June 2026
A conversation between printmakers and associate artists working in different mediums, bringing new approaches to art, hoping for a happy conclusion and some exciting outcomes.
The opening event will take place on
Sunday, 7 June from 2 - 4 pm
at the Benham Gallery, Cuckoo Farm Studios
CO4 5HH
Our usual opening times are Saturdays and Sundays, 11.00 - 16.00 or by appointment.
Demelza Fanshawe: Switching Focus
Colchester Art Society & Cuckoo Farm Graduate Awardee 2024
Demelza's first Solo Exhibition is exploring the evolution of her creative voice as a painter and sculptor, profoundly shaped by her military experiences.
Demelza Fanshawe: Switching Focus Opening Event
Demelza Fanshawe: Switching Focus
Colchester Art Society & Cuckoo Farm Graduate Awardee 2024
Join us at the opening event on: Friday 22 May from 18:00 to 21:00
in the Benham Gallery, Cuckoo Farm Studios, CO4 5HH.
We look forward to welcoming you!
Mermaids in Summer
CFS Studio Holder Dennis Cootes’ Solo Exhibition of his paintings and ceramics.
Open daily between 10am - 4pm
Open Conversations
Open Conversations showcases the talent of the studio artists at Cuckoo Farm Studios; a diverse, committed and experienced community of artists, designers and makers. This exhibition starts the year of exhibitions and events at the Benham Gallery during 2026, a mixture of group and solo shows. The theme of group exhibitions for 2026 is conversations and each exhibition brings together artists to converse, respond and make.
Curated by Iris Dina Gunnarsdottir, Jayne Knowles and Penny Nichol.
Open 11am-4pm for three weekends between 14 -29 March.
Christmas Present
After previous well received Christmas themed events at Cuckoo Farm Studios, we are back and hosting a shorter event this year.
Open on Saturday 29 & Sunday 30 November between 11am - 3pm.
Around twelve CFS members will be selling their art in a Christmas themed ‘Market’. If you’re looking for unique art and/or want to support local creatives make sure to visit.
We look forward to welcoming you!
Riffing and Reacting
An exhibition by David Smith.
James Kalm, aka Lauren Monk, an american artist and vlogger, politely suggests that artists who steal ideas from other artists may be ‘riffing’ on their work.
As Picasso said ‘artists borrow, but great artists steal’
Opening event Saturday 1 November 11am - 4pm
Ground
Curated by Iris Dina Gunnarsdottir and Jayne Knowles
A loose material that covers most of earth. A group exhibition of artists who use the ground to inspire, to explore, to create.
Opening event Sunday 28 September 1-4pm.
Dancing in the Rain
There is no life without water. Cuckoo Farm members along with two guest artists, Jane Lewis and Olivia Browne, explore and respond to water through different mediums both inside and outside the gallery.
Meet the artists event Saturday 9 August 12-2pm.
An Exploration into Natural Colour
Group exhibition exploring the process of sourcing & working with natural materials; paints, pigments, dyes & fabrics.
Featuring Iris Dina Gunnarsdottir, Linda Theophilus, Lisa Temple-Cox, Lora Aziz, Marley Karazimba, Ruth Philo & Selena Chandler.
Viewing Weekends Sat & Sun 11am-3pm
Curated by CFS Studio Holder Marley Karazimba.
Closing Event: Sunday 3rd August 12-3pm. Roundtable discussion + Q&A with the artists, lunch & music.
Cuckoo Farm Air Show
An exhibition exploring wind, clouds & sky. A breath of fresh… or possibly a load of hot…
Free balloon of air for all visitors. Curated by CFS studio holder & chair Tom Armstrong
Opening Event Saturday 5 July 1-4pm
Live at Cuckoo Farm 4
Live at Cuckoo Farm return for another excellent afternoon of weird and wonderful sounds live from the Benham Gallery. It really is a great afteroon.
This Time around we have:
The Future Sounds of Evensong
- (Rev. Matt Simpkin losing his mind with some synths)
Grim _ _ _
- (Robin of 'The Dead Rat Orchestra, and Ben of 'King Driscolls share for the firs time their top secret collaboration)
Ethel Fled
- (magic and witchcraft from Gemma Oakley and Pals)
Ritchie Khanage
- (electronic bliss from Ritchie Khan)
Croft
- DnB Vinyl Set
DJ TEA
-spinning a few tunes inbetween acts
Free Entry ( Pay what you can donations welcome)
BYOB
Plus Visuals from EMOM's own Dan Neko
My First Career Decade by Nicholas Rowe - Exhibition
Opens Saturday 3rd May 2025 at 11am, talks at 12noon and 3pm.
This significant solo exhibition celebrates the first 10 years of Nicholas’s professional practice and a Studio Holder at Cuckoo Farm Studios.
Featuring retrospective pieces demonstrating his evolution and highlighting achievements. Starting with works from his BA (Hons) 3D Design and Craft Degree Show in 2015 at the Colchester School of Art and Graduate Award in 2015/16 at Cuckoo Farm Studios - to majoring on present day works embodying his current professional skills.
Don't Fight The Land That Feeds You - Exhibition
Join CFS Studio Holder Marley Karazimba for an Exhibition about ‘The People of Essex & The Land That Nourishes Them’
Collage
Collage' Exhibition in the Benham Gallery. The last in a series of exhibitions about ‘the ages’.
Bricolage - creating work from everyday things.
Our 4th show in the current series of exhibitions at Cuckoo Farm Studios will introduce you to Bricolage - creating work from everyday things.
In this exhibition seven artists -
Karina Carrington | Clare Iles | Becky Jordan | Hanne Mannheimer | Lisa Temple-Cox | Linda Theophilus and Belinda Knapp
explore the everyday by utilising The Found Object.
Meaning is constructed through the interaction of disparate elements in unexpected ways and the resourcefulness of the artist.
Private View: Saturday, 19 October from 12.00 - 2.00 pm
Opening times: Sat/Sun 11.00 am - 4.00 pm or by appointment.
[Bricoler: to tinker, or cobble together, to do it yourself]
Montage: Fragments in Sequence
FRAGMENTS IN SEQUENCE
the second show in our series of the 'Five ages of art' - Montage - will be at the Benham Gallery from 20 to 25 September with:
Stuart Bowditch | Laurence Cawley | James Lejeune | Deborah Suzanne Lander | Marley | Susie Scott
Please join us for the opening on
Friday, 20 September from 6-8 pm
Show open 11am - 4pm Saturday and Sunday
Please note: there has been a change to our printed programme and this show now starts on the 20 September (instead of 14 September!)
There will be a special final event with Richard Layzell:
Psychosomatic | Performance and Film
at 7 pm on Wednesday, 25 September
Tickets are free but booking is essential! Please use eventbrite.co.uk to secure your place.
Open Studios 2024
For one weekend every September Cuckoo Farm Studios opens to the public, the biggest event of the calander attracting over 500 visitors.
The 'Open Studios' event once again coincides with the 'Heritage Open Days'.
A great opportunity to take in the plants and trees, Artists in their studios, Print Workshop demonstrations, an Associate Exhibition in the Benham Gallery, outside workshops and demonstrations. Whether you are interested in talking to local artists and makers about their creative process, buy or commission work or looking for a pleasant day out we hope you will visit us.
A weekend not to be missed, refreshments available, all welcome.
Limited parking, entrance free, find out how to get to us including road closure diversion, below.
Important: There is a road closure near us, please scroll down to see how to get to us...
How to get to us...
The road closure is situated south of CFS at the junction of Boxted Road and Whitmore Drive. You will need to come at us from Boxted Straight Road/northen end of Boxted Road.
Follow these directional posters at key junctions, they will be attached to temporary and fixed road signs/infrastructure to guide you to us.
Fairly Interesting Textures
Fairly Interesting Textures is the first in a series of exhibitions celebrating the 'ages - automatic drawing techniques from the Surrealist movement;
frottage, assemblage, bricolage, collage and montage.
Working in a diverse range of disciplines, the artists explore these techniques, pushing the boundaries of their methodology.
An evolving exhibition of installation drawing, and sculpture including work by Sarah Sabin, Anthony Searle, David Stone, Linda Theophilus, Jevan Watkins Jones and curator, Becky Jordan.Fairly Interesting Textures defines the interstices and solidity around us. Drawing on place, duration and surface the work reflects a very different version of this art form.
Open to public: Saturdays/Sundays - 10/11th August, 17th/18th August, 24th/25th August. 11am to 4pm.
Opening event Saturday 10th August 12am to 2pm
“Street Dreams” two decades of paintings from Gary Winterford
two decades of paintings from Gary Winterford
Our Lovely Mess - Group Exhibition
Colchester 6th Form Graduates - Group Exhibition ‘Our Lovely Mess’
Lupe Cunha’s Alumni Exhibition at Cuckoo Farm Studios Benham Gallery
For over ten years, CFS Studio Holder Lupe has run a popular monthly painting workshop for students in the 'Benham Gallery' and has now arranged this exhibition to celebrate the work of her students over the years.
Countless Edens
Photos and sound exhibition by Mark Edwards and Stuart Bowditch. Made over a three year period in the house and garden of the writer Ronald Blythe.
The images are accompanied by a sound recording of the garden by CFS Studio Holder and sound artist Stuart Bowditch.
Open Saturdays and Sundays - 11am to 4pm
Please join us for the opening event Saturday 1st June between 12 - 2pm.
Infinity & Connection. Sculpture by Lu Yu.
Cuckoo Farm Studios / Colchester Art Society Graduate Award 22/23 winner Lu Yu has an exhibition opening in the Benham Gallery, Cuckoo Farm Studios, on the 11th May.
Infinity & Connection. Sculpture by Lu Yu.
Private View: 10th May, 6-8pm.
Exhibition: 11th - 26th May. Opening Times: Sat & Sun, 11am to 3:30pm (other dates by arrangement, click here to send an email).
Free Workshops (limited spaces): Tai-Chi 15th May, 2-3pm. Meditation 22nd May, 2-3pm.
6 - Art Exhibition
Please come join us for the private view on Friday 3rd May between 6:30 - 8pm.
Exhibition continues Saturday and Sunday as well as Bank Holiday Monday 11am - 4pm.
Cuckoo Farm Studios is delighted to host this exhibition of 6 BA (Hons) Fine Art 1st year students from the Colchester Institute:
Ash Barrett
Elaine Sutton
Freya Jackdaw
Gail Singleton Parkes
Belle Femme Artisan
Sheryl Scharschmidt